Award-winning line postpones Brilliant Lady arrival due to supply chain issues but expands global itinerary options based on Sailor demand, announcing new Australian ports

Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson’s award-winning cruise line, is introducing 19 new ports and 27 epic new itineraries available through April 2025.

Spanning all corners of the globe, the new offerings feature nine incredible new ports of call in Australia, new seaside gems in the Caribbean and a return to the UK, all following strong Sailor demand.

Named the Number 1 mega-ship ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards, Virgin Voyages is loved for its incredible value, exclusively adult experiences, Michelin chef-curated menus, impeccable service and focus on relaxation and wellbeing. A brand celebrated for its fresh approach to sailing, Virgin Voyages is giving guests what they’ve been craving with its broadest selection of destinations along with new summer and winter itineraries debuting across the fleet.

“Over the past year, our repeat Sailor rates have tripled and our loyal travellers have been asking for more destinations to visit. We have listened to their calls and delivered in a big way with new ports, fresh itineraries and more amazing experiences,” said Shane Riley, Vice President, International Sales and Marketing, Virgin Voyages.

“For Aussie sailors, we are excited to add nine new ports to our cruises down under. From the end of 2024, Sailors can choose from 15 new itineraries and now visit some of Australia’s most stunning destinations including Port Douglas, Kangaroo Island and Broome.”

With this new announcement, Virgin Voyages’ fleet will offer a total of 63 itineraries to some of the world’s most inspiring locales. Among the new options are what the brand is calling its “Seachange Series.”

These reimagined repositioning voyages offer more opportunities for travellers to extend their holidays and explore the world at large.

Details on the current deployments and what to look forward to aboard each ship are included below.

Resilient Lady:

After returning from her inaugural season in Australia, Virgin Voyages’ newest Lady will sail three itineraries from her homeport in Athens from May through July 2024.

On the agenda are the popular “Greek Island Glow” to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos; “Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems,” sailing along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast before stopping in Kotor and Corfu; and finally “Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia,” which offers a mix of the other two seven-night itineraries.

Back by popular demand, Virgin Voyages will also return to its British brand roots with a series of three-to-six-night sailings aboard Resilient Lady. Kicking off in mid-August 2024 and running through September, highlights include “English

Sights and European Delights,” which docks in Le Verdon (Bordeaux), La Coruna and Bilbao. The beautiful cities of Amsterdam and Bruges are also on the docket this fall.

Resilient Lady’s European schedule also includes two fantastic repositioning voyages from Portsmouth to Barcelona, adding Morocco to the brand’s roster of new destinations.

On the heels of this voyage, Resilient closes her Med season with a Barcelona to Athens voyage, merging the best of the brand’s signature “Irresistible Med” and “Greek Island Glow” itineraries and introducing Catania, Sicily as well.

Finally, Resilient Lady will set off on a 44-night repositioning from Athens to Australia in October 2024, making stops in awe-inspiring, bucket-list destinations like Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Bali along the way.

Once Down Under, Sailors have the option of 15 brand new itineraries and 10 new ports including Broome, Albany, Adelaide, Newcastle, Mooloolaba, Port Douglas, Willis Island, Brisbane, Eden and Kangaroo Island.

Valiant Lady

To start her 2023 winter season, Valiant Lady will return from Barcelona on October 29, 2023 and begin her signature itineraries from Miami such as the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” and “Western Caribbean Charm.”

From January through March 2024, she will operate out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering two southern Caribbean voyages originally scheduled for Brilliant Lady including “The Southeastern Caribbean Isles” and “Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles.”

Valiant Lady (Credit: Virgin Voyages)

With Scarlet Lady heading into dry dock next year, sister ship Valiant Lady will trade places starting in April 2024. Departing from Miami, Valiant Lady will continue to offer Scarlet’s four- and five-night Caribbean rotations that Sailors love, along with a special six-night “Holidaze and Nights” voyage.

Scarlet Lady

Next summer between May and October 2024, Scarlet will soak up the Mediterranean sun, taking on Valiant Lady’s two seven-night itineraries: “Irresistible Med” and “French Daze and Ibiza Nights.”

Scarlet Lady (Credit: Virgin Voyages)

On November 3, Scarlet will embark on an 11-night repositioning voyage from Barcelona to Civitavecchia, stopping in Mallorca, Corsica and Sardinia.

After a short period in dry dock for general maintenance, enhancements, and recalibrations, Scarlet Lady will spring back into action with a 16-night Transatlantic voyage from Rome to Miami. This new itinerary boasts calls in Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) as well as Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain).

After arriving in Miami on December 14, 2024, Scarlet Lady will offer Valiant’s signature six and eight-night winter voyages through the spring of 2025 including “Western Caribbean Charm” and the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles.”

Originally debuting in the fall of 2022, these longer routes from Miami feature late-night stays in San Juan, authentic experiences against the beautiful and rugged landscape of Roatan, and a taste of the US Virgin Islands with a day-trip to St. Croix.

Brilliant Lady

While having introduced three mid-sized vessels in less than two years is an industry first, even Cruise Critic’s No. 1 cruise line (voted by readers) is susceptible to global issues.

Despite careful planning, Virgin Voyages is facing unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges that have delayed the introduction into service of its new ship, Brilliant Lady.

The award-winning brand has established industry-leading service and experiences, and given the challenges outlined, has made the tough decision to postpone Brilliant Lady’s highly anticipated launch. Virgin Voyages is evaluating new possible launch dates when it is able to deliver the standards the brand’s Sailors have come to expect.

“Virgin Voyages is hoping to make a big splash in Australia and has already scheduled its second season Down Under, but even the strongest travel brands face unforeseen challenges every now and then,” Riley added. “We know Aussies will love the new ports and itineraries as much as we do, and we can’t wait for Resilient Lady’s arrival later this year.”

Always wanting to do right by its Sailors, Virgin Voyages will offer anyone impacted by the new itineraries price-and-promotion-protected options to rebook and receive USD$300 – USD$600 in Sailor Loot or a full refund.

Travellers wanting to experience one of the exciting new ports can take advantage of 30 per cent off Med 2024 voyages and up to a USD$600 Bar Tab when they book by September 28. A handful of select Caribbean sailings and repositioning voyages are also eligible for $500 off.

Starting Monday, the new itineraries will be available to view and book. Please visit www.VirginVoyages.com or contact your First Mate (travel advisor).